[press release]
The American Topical Association wants to put you in the mood for the holidays with a gift of a free checklist. This year’s topic is Turkeys on stamps, and the list of 65 stamps is free to ATA members and nonmembers alike, through Nov. 30.

The newly developed list was the project of checklist dATAbase developer Karen Cartier, board member Jean Stout, and May Day Taylor, a member of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum’s Council of Philatelists. A free download is available at www.americantopicalassn.org. A printed copy of the Turkey checklist will be mailed if a stamped envelope is sent to ATA, PO Box 8, Carterville, IL 62918-0008.

As with all ATA checklists, the Turkey list includes country, issue date, Scott number, denomination and a description of each item. Various breeds are featured on the stamps, and naturally the list includes the 2009 US stamp depicting a turkey-shaped balloon in a Thanksgiving parade. Wild turkeys from Scott-listed state migratory waterfowl stamps are also included.

In recent months, the ATA’s dATAbase has been greatly expanded. About 1200 lists are currently available. Customized checklists are available for an infinite number of topics. Members may order lists for a small fee. Membership information is on the organization’s website.